Translations:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Herbs/2/en

2. List 25 medicinal herbs and their uses.

Allspice

18th century Russian soldiers would put allspice in their boots. Volatile oils found in the plant contain eugenol, a weak antimicrobial agent.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera has been used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and eczema.

Balm of Gilead

Balm of Gilead is a healing compound (a balm) made from the resinous gum of the North American tree species Populus candicans (Balsam Poplar).

Chamomile

Chamomile is used medicinally against sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid. It can be taken as an herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months. It is also used as a mouthwash.

Comfrey

This herb contains allantoin, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. This means that it will promote the swift healing of damaged or injured tissues, as well as maintaining cell growth and preventing diseases.

Coriander

Coriander has been used for the relief of anxiety. Coriander essential oil showed a delay in E. Coli growth, suggesting possible agricultural anti-bacterial applications.

Cowslip

Cowslip is used medicinally as a diuretic, an expectorant, and an antispasmodic, as well as for the treatment of headaches, whooping cough, tremors, and other conditions

Eucalyptus

An essential oil extracted from eucalypt leaves contains compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and which can be toxic in large quantities.

Eyebright

Eyebright is used for eyestrain and to relieve inflammation caused by colds, coughs, sinus infections, and sore throats.

Garlic

Garlic extracts that are left to set overnight are very effective in healing wounds. In 1858, Louis Pasteur observed garlic's antibacterial activity, and it was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I and World War II.

Great Mullein

Great mullein is used as an herbal remedy for sore throat, cough and lung diseases.

Licorice

Powdered liquorice root is an effective expectorant, and has been used for this purpose since ancient times. Modern cough syrups often include liquorice extract as an ingredient. Additionally, liquorice may be useful for both mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers.

Hyssop

In John 19:29, a sponge soaked in sour wine or vinegar was stuck on a branch of hyssop and offered to Jesus on the cross just before he died. Hyssop has medicinal properties which are listed as including expectorant, carminative, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, promotes sweating, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, antispasmodic.

Oregano

In the Philippines, oregano is not commonly used for cooking but is rather considered as a primarily medicinal plant, useful for relieving children's coughs.

Peppermint

It is said that peppermint helps against upset stomachs, inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, and can help smooth and relax muscles when inhaled or applied to the skin.

Purslane

Purslane is used as a remedy for constipation and inflammation of the urinary system. In antiquity its healing properties were thought so reliable that Pliny advised wearing the plant as an amulet to expel all evil.

Raspberry leaves

Raspberry leaves have an astringent flavor and in herbal medicine are reputed to be effective in regulating menses.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (as in worn during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation. Students in ancient Greece are reported to have worn sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying for exams to improve their memory, and mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance".

Sage

Modern evidence supports the effects of sage as an antihydrotic, antibiotic, antifungal, astringent, antispasmodic, estrogenic, hypoglycemic, and tonic.

Saffron

Modern medicine has also discovered saffron as having anticarcinogenic (cancer-suppressing), anti-mutagenic (mutation-preventing), immunomodulating, and antioxidant-like properties.

Senna

Because of the presence of anthraquinones, senna species are used as the primary ingredient in certain commercial stimulant laxatives.

Sorrel

Sorrel is used as a laxative.

Spearmint

Recent research has shown that Spearmint tea may be used as a treatment for mild hirsutism (facial hair) in women. Its anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood.

Tamarind

In the Philippines, the leaves have been traditionally used in herbal tea for reducing malaria fever. Tamarind is used as a medicine for gastric and/or digestion problems.

Tansy

Bitter tea made with the blossoms of Tansy has been effectively used for centuries as a drug that expels parasitic worms. Note that only Tanacetum vulgare is used in medicinal preparations; all species of tansy are toxic, and an overdose can be fatal. As a natural insect repellent, it was often planted next to kitchen doors to keep ants out.

Yarrow

Yarrow is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. The plant also has a long history as a powerful 'healing herb' used topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions.

3. Cook one dish using herbs.

There are many possible recipes you can use to meet this requirement, but we present one here for your convenience. This bread stuffing recipe uses celery, onion, garlic, sage and thyme, and is very tasty. It was taken from requirement 7a of the Food Drying honor.